Child Abuse Identification and Reporting: Iowa Training for Mandatory Reporters

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1. What is the purpose of the Iowa Child Abuse reporting law?

  a. To encourage state agencies to add additional duties to their employees.

  b. To provide protection to children by encouraging the reporting of suspected abuse.

  c. To require mandatory reporters to accuse parents of misdemeanor charges.

  d. None of the above.


2. The most common form of child maltreatment, in the US is:

  a. Physical abuse.

  b. Sexual abuse.

  c. Neglect.

  d. Emotional abuse.


3. In Iowa, a mandatory reporter need not be absolutely certain that an injury or condition was caused by abuse or maltreatment/neglect; the reporter should only reasonably believe a child has suffered abuse. The mandatory reporter does not have to prove the abuse or maltreatment. A report is not an accusation, rather it is a request to determine whether child abuse exists and a beginning to the helping process.

  a. True.

  b. False.


4. Mandatory reporters of child abuse and maltreatment/neglect in Iowa:

  a. Have immunity from prosecution if they reported in good faith.

  b. Have immunity from prosecution if they reported in good faith.

  c. Can be charged with a simple misdemeanor for failing to report.

  d. May be civilly liable for any damages caused by failure to report.

  e. All of the above.


5. Who are people “responsible for the care of a child”?

  a. A parent, guardian, or foster parent. A relative or any other person with whom the child resides, and who assumes care or supervision of the child, without reference to the length of time or continuity of such residence.

  b. An employee or agent of any public or private facility providing care for a child, including an institution, hospital, health care facility, group home, mental health center, residential treatment center, shelter care facility, detention center, or child care facility.

  c. Any person providing care for a child, but with whom the child does not reside, without reference to the duration of the care. The person who assumes responsibility for the care or supervision of the child may do so through verbal or written agreement, or implicitly through the willing assumption of the caretaking role.

  d. All of the above.


6. In 2008, more than half of the reports of child abuse and maltreatment/neglect (57.9%) were made by professionals who are required to report their suspicions of abuse or maltreatment/neglect.

  a. True.

  b. False.


7. According to the information provided by Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, covered in this course, the number of children abused in Iowa was 11% higher in 2009 over the number abused in 2008.

  a. True.

  b. False.


8. Examples of mental injury can be any of the following EXCEPT:

  a. Ignoring, isolating and/or rejecting the child, so that the child does not get basic emotional needs met.

  b. Cigarette burns on the soles of the feet.

  c. Terrorizing or verbally assaulting the child, so that the child lives in a climate of fear or humiliation.

  d. Corrupting or overpressuring the child, so that the child’s destructive behavior is reinforced or the child never feels good enough.


9. What are the subcategories of “denial of critical care”, often thought of as “neglect”?
  1. Failure to provide adequate food and nutrition.
  2. Failure to provide adequate shelter.
  3. Failure to provide adequate clothing.
  4. Failure to provide adequate health care.
  5. Failure to provide mental health care.
  6. Gross failure to meet emotional needs.
  7. Failure to provide proper supervision.
  8. Failure to respond to an infant’s life-threatening condition.


  a. 1, 2, 3, and 6.

  b. “Denial of Critical Care” is not a legal definition of child abuse in Iowa.

  c. None of the above.

  d. All of the above.


10. Physical abuse should be considered if:

  a. The caretaker explanation for the injury does not fit the physical evidence.

  b. The explanation for the injury is not possible based on the child’s developmental stage.

  c. There are repeated or patterned injuries.

  d. All of the above.


The following case relates to questions 11-15. 10 year old Michael was always a talkative, rambunctious and social boy with many friends. Last year his mother married a man who Michael liked very much. For approximately the last 6 months, Michael has been moody, sometimes being withdrawn and socially isolated and at other times, getting into fights at school. He’s also been failing exams and his grades have fallen. You see Michael for complaints of a sore throat in the primary care office in Polk County, accompanied by his step-father. Michael and his step-father hardly speak to one another; Michael avoids interacting with him. Prior to the exam, Michael tells you that he “hates” his step-father and that Michael’s mother works the evening shift part-time, which is why his mother is not available for today’s urgent visit. When you attempt to examine Michael, he flinches at your touch. A throat culture reveals gonorrhea.


11. Behavioral indicators of possible abuse include all the following EXCEPT:

  a. Lab results indicating gonorrhea.

  b. Sudden change in behavior, and school performance.

  c. Behavioral extremes.

  d. Avoidance of touch.


12. Physical indicators of possible abuse include:

  a. Sore throat and lab results indicating gonorrhea.

  b. Avoidance of his step-father.

  c. Avoidance of touch during the exam.

  d. Change in behavior.


13. During the office visit, you are aware that you need to be careful in talking with Michael, so that he feels comfortable telling you about his situation. You make sure you are able to do all the following EXCEPT:

  a. Remain calm, be open and honest with Michael.

  b. Listen carefully and remain supportive, stressing that it is NOT Michael’s fault.

  c. Interrogate Michael in an attempt to investigate what is really happening in his life.

  d. Report the situation to the Child Abuse Hotline.


14. You know that gonorrhea in a child of Michael’s age is often a sign of child sexual abuse, and you note his behavioral changes and what he has told you. As a mandatory reporter, you do which of the following?

  a. Call the Polk County Department of Human Services office or call the 24 hrs/day child abuse/dependent abuse hotline number at 800.362.2178.

  b. Call law enforcement, as Michael remains in imminent danger.

  c. Both A and B.

  d. Neither A or B.


15. After you orally report your suspicion of sexual abuse of Michael, you have what amount of time before you are required to follow up with a written report?

  a. 24 hours.

  b. 48 hours.

  c. 72 hours.

  d. A written report must immediately follow the oral report.


16. During the child abuse assessment, conducted by the DHS, who is likely to be interviewed?

  a. The alleged child victim.

  b. The parents and other adults in the household, as well as the alleged perpetrator.

  c. Collateral sources, witnesses, or other parties with information.

  d. All of the above.


17. The most frequent perpetrators of child abuse and maltreatment/neglect are

  a. Strangers.

  b. Caretakers who are not family members.

  c. Parents.

  d. Family members other than parents.


18. Information that should be included in oral and written reports of child abuse made by mandatory reporters are:

  a. The names and addresses of the child, the child’s parents or others responsible for the child’s care, as well as the child’s current whereabouts and the child’s age.

  b. The nature and extent of the child’s injuries, including any evidence of previous injuries, as well as the names, ages and condition of any other children in the same household.

  c. The identity of the person(s) responsible for the abuse or neglect/maltreatment; any other information that is relevant, as well as the reporter’s name and address.

  d. All of the above.


19. All of the following are possible conclusions that a child protective worker may reach at the completion of the assessment EXCEPT:

  a. Abuse is not confirmed.

  b. Abuse is confirmed (but not placed on the Central Child Abuse Registry).

  c. Abuse is founded but not confirmed.

  d. Abuse is founded (confirmed AND placed on the Central Child Abuse Registry).


20. Which of the following are training requirements for mandatory reporters of child abuse in Iowa?

  a. All mandatory reporters are required to complete two hours of approved training related to the identification and reporting of child abuse within six months of initial employment or self-employment.

  b. All mandatory reporters are required to complete at least two hours of additional child abuse identification and reporting training every five years.

  c. Both A and B.

  d. Neither A or B.